In Japan, the legal smoking and purchasing age is 20. To prevent underage access, cigarette vending machines (known as jidōhanbaiki for tobacco) require a Taspo card (タスポ), an RFID-enabled IC card that verifies the user’s age.
Introduced in 2008, the Taspo system is mandatory for all such machines nationwide.
What is Taspo and how does it work?
Taspo is the name that’s been given to the IC card (combining “tobacco,” “access” and “passport”) and is issued by the Tobacco Institute of Japan. Without this card, it will be impossible to buy cigarettes from a vending machine.
Smokers will need to place Taspo on a card reader on the front of the Cigarette vending machine, which will access information stored in the card and verify that the purchaser is at least 20 years old — the legal smoking age.
The card also has a prepaid electronic money function, allowing people to deposit up to ¥20,000 for cigarette purchases.
When used as a debit card, age verification and payment will take place simultaneously.
Why is Taspo being introduced?
The institute’s Web site says,
Taspo is the ultimate way of rigorously conducting age verification checks and is expected to be a highly effective way of preventing underage smoking.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has conducted studies showing that 70 percent to 80 percent of underage smokers get their cigarettes from vending machines. By introducing taspo, the institute hopes to cut this phenomenon off.
Are there loopholes in the new system?
Yes. A taspo card is not required when purchasing cigarettes at a shop. Even though employees are supposed to check the age of purchasers who they suspect are minors, this doesn’t always prevent underage smoking.
Also, a minor could sneak their parent’s card or borrow one from any legitimate card holder to use in a cigarette machine.
We can never prevent adults from purchasing alcohol and tobacco for children, we hope cardholders behave like responsible adults.
Hitomichi Tanaka, Institute spokesman
Note on 2026 Changes:
Taspo service is set to end in 2026, with machines upgrading to scan driver’s licenses or My Number cards directly. This won’t affect current use.